Girl, 11, suffers injuries in A350 collision at Melksham

A young girl suffered serious facial injuries following a collision with a van on the A350 near Melksham’s ASDA store at 2.41pm today.

She was trying to cross the road to get to the store at the southbound crossing, when she was hit by a white van.

First Aid staff at the store were alerted but an off-duty paramedic treated the 11-year-old at the scene while waiting for ambulance crews to arrive.

The Wiltshire Air Ambulance attended but was not needed and the girl was eventually taken to the Royal United Hospital, Bath, for further treatment. Her condition is not believed to be life-threatening.

Her parents were not with her at the time, but have been informed.

ASDA store security guard Chris Law went to treat the girl, along with colleague Richard Meech.

Mr Law said: “She was about 10 years old and with a friend. She definitely had a broken nose, and I think she lost some teeth as well.

“The ambulance was there within five or ten minutes, and the helicopter landed soon after, but I don’t think it was needed in the end.

“They were being really good, just trying to keep her calm.”

Mr Meech said: “I took the first aid box out but the paramedic was there already. She was covered in blood, it was a horrible sight, but it could have been a whole lot worse.

“It just makes you realise how important it is to have people who know first aid.”

Two lanes of the A350 were blocked off while emergency services attended the incident, causing delays as far back as Lackham.

Sergeant Barrie Card, of Wiltshire Police’s serious collision investigation team said: “I can say someone was knocked over on the crossing, and they’ve been taken to the RUH.

“I believe it was a 10-year-old girl. She had physical and head injuries, and I don’t know her condition at this time.

“We are appealing for witnesses, so if anyone saw anything they can contact us on 101.”

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